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Abstract

BackgroundShoulder pain is a common, costly condition with variable prognosis. Commonly used treatments for shoulder pain in primary care include: (i) advice & analgesia, (ii) exercise and/or manual therapy, and (iii) corticosteroid injection. Current guidelines do not assist clinicians in optimal treatment selection for this condition. Prognostic factors help identify subgroups likely to have poor prognosis, however their potential to help clinicians decide between different treatments is unclear.

MethodsA systematic review identified which patient attributes modify effects of these three treatments. Clinical consensus workshops were conducted with 21 UK-based clinicians who manage shoulder pain to identify patient attributes relevant to treatment decision making.The impact of these attributes on treatment choice was studied in a conjoint analysis study of decision-making for shoulder pain.